Blog Archives - Mr. Powell Science

What is a Gene?

8/30/2019

In class today we took a short plicker quiz to test our understanding of genetics thus far. We also read a little from our textbooks and discussed the structure of DNA. Finally, we watched the video to the right to learn even more about what a gene really is. Next week we will continue our study of genetics.

Gold Tape Question: Rosalind Franklin, seen to the left, was an important person in the discovery of the structure of DNA. Her famous image of a DNA molecule can also be seen to the left. How did she take a picture of a DNA molecule? (Hint: What is the name of the technique she used?)

Email the answer to spencer.powell@d51schools.org
before school starts Tuesday to claim your tape!

Big Red Challenge! Email Mr. Powell the score of this weekends Nebraska Cornhuskers game to win a pack of Big Red gum on Tuesday

NWEA Day 2

8/29/2019

NWEA Day 1

8/28/2019

We will finish NWEA science testing tomorrow.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

8/27/2019

Today was all about DNA. We completed our first round of genetics notes as well as watched the video below about what is DNA and what does it do. Tomorrow we start NWEA testing, which we will finish Thursday. Friday we will continue exploring genetics.

Genes In My Body

8/26/2019

In class today students took a short test over what we've done in class so far. Then we drew diagrams showing the levels of organization in an organism. Starting with the body of an organism going down to single alleles, this diagram shows increasing complexity in living creatures.

Dragons, Dragons Dragons!

8/23/2019

Today we finished up our in class time with the Geniverse Dragon lab. Students can continue working on this at home. Next week we will have a quiz over what we've learned so far and continue our investigation of genetics.

Gold Tape Question: Although the dragons we investigated this week are mythical, there are real life dragons. The Komodo Dragon is one of the largest lizards on the planet and lives in a small region in southeast Asia. How many chromosomes do Komodo Dragons have in each of their cells? Email your answer to Mr.Powell at spencer.powell@d51schools.org.

Geniverse Dragon Breeding Lab

8/22/2019

Students are in the thick of completing a dragon breeding quest using the Geniverse Dragon Breeding Lab program. We will continue and finish this activity in class tomorrow.

Click the link below to go to the Geniverse lab

8/20/2019

https://geniverse-lab.concord.org/

Graphing Paper Airplane Data

8/19/2019

Today students graphed their paper airplane data and completed their lab questions. Tomorrow they will write their lab conclusion and begin their new unit, Genetics.

Time For Me To Fly!

8/16/2019

Students flew their paper airplanes today and collected distance and time data for each type of airplane for as many trials as they could complete. We will finish our lab on Monday
GOLD TAPE QUESTION: Every week for the rest of the year we will have a "Gold Tape Question" Students that answer the question by the next class period will earn a piece of gold tape for their notebook. Who ever has the most gold tape on their notebook at the end of the year will be honored as the Scientist of the Year! This week's question is simple. Email Mr. Powell spencer.powell@d51schools.org or send a comment through this website and explain the best part of 8th grade so far.